Chapter 109

Besides important matters like feeding and maintaining equipment, with the hardware support of the Exploration Vehicle, Ms. Athena, a tailor, finally had the opportunity to make more formal clothes for the refugees.

What Medic remembers most vividly is that Ah Fu and Eileen were the first to change into tailcoats and maid outfits with Rhodes Island blue armbands...

Food, clothing, shelter, transportation, equipment maintenance—although the title "Welfare Department" might seem insignificant, Medic did indeed entrust a considerable portion of the daily work of the Exploration Vehicle to these Sarkaz.

This seemingly reckless move was naturally warned by Yato about the potential danger, but since the Medic team held the ultimate key to PRTS, this kind of 'insignificant'... mainly work that wouldn't threaten anyone's lives unless deliberately sabotaged, outsourcing it was a 'burden reduction' for the A4 Action Group.

Medic intends to use the 'Welfare Department' as a trial period for these people, although the Welfare Department's work cannot fully meet the needs of all refugees... For example, the militia trio who aspire to be a shield for everyone refuse to the Welfare Department the welfare department, which is a... rear-area department.

Since W's subordinates also needed to be arranged, Medic simply went all out and, not long after adding a 'Welfare Department' to the Human Resources Department, added a 'Disciplinary Department' as well.

As the name suggests, the Disciplinary Department is a department used to punish internal personnel.

With the Shieldguards promising to maintain order, Medic established Disciplinary Department based on Rhodes Island's internal regulations. This was not only intended to encourage these Rhodes Island prospective members to monitor each other and avoid making mistakes, but also to provide these 'refugees,' who might increase in number later, with a direct channel to contact Rhodes Island's management.

Aside from potential future disciplinary issues such as theft of company property like drugs or food, matters that the Shieldguards cannot easily intervene in, such as violations of the employee handbook or passive resistance at work, can also be handed over to the Disciplinary Department for clear rules and regulations and to be handled openly and through normal procedures. Now that we are about to head to the Reunion Movement's gathering place, clear rules and regulations and an order-maker are absolutely necessary.

More importantly, the established rules should belong to Rhodes Island, not Reunion Movement, and certainly not the Shieldguards.

The observation by the Infected possessed diverse personalities, that the Shieldguards were willing to abide by Rhodes Island's order was a prerequisite for establishing safety at Rhodes Island, and also a process of resocializing and taming the already alienated the Infected.

The Shieldguards's adjutant clearly understood this as well, which is why he readily agreed to the Disciplinary Department's rules and regulations. After all, compared to military regulations, Rhodes Island's discipline is ultimately just a company requirement, which is a freebie for the Shieldguards who come from the military... Of course, Medic cannot rule out the possibility that the adjutant had long disapproved of certain things the Reunion Movement did.

Because most of the members of the Disciplinary Division are W's subordinates, and these mercenaries who have always followed W are followers of the White Emperor from the Tower of Babel era, under the mediation of Afu and others from the Welfare Division, they have a high degree of acceptance of Rhodes Island's ideals and strategies.

The only problem might be that W needs to explain the situation to the Sarkaz Mercenaries leader on the Reunion Movement side when she leaves... That Mercenaries, who is relatively neutral, might ask W to fulfill the contract with Talulah first.

This matter was brought up when Medic performed surgery on W, and then this person actually said that she should handle it herself... And because of the Mercenaries' obedience to W as their superior, W was obviously the candidate for head of the Disciplinary Department.

However, Medic certainly wouldn't grant formal permissions to this guy who could only be admired as a static beauty, unlike Ah Fu and Eileen.

Medic's onboarding process for W will only proceed after she confirms that W will not be hostile towards Kal'tsit.

W himself had no objection to this.

"... Alright, the surgery was a success. If there are no problems during the recovery process, there shouldn't be any long-term effects..."

Reading Folinic and Su Sulo's post-operative evaluations, Medic looked at W, who, although awake, was still in a static state due to arm anesthesia:

"And about what you mentioned before... you should know what I'm worried about."

"Oh, it's just some loose ends from the job change. You said you'd leave it to me, so feel free to leave it to me... Although I can't guarantee that after visiting Kal'tsit, I'll still work obediently under you."

"It's good that everyone has their own pursuits. As for your concerns, I think that's a very low probability thing... So, I'll temporarily hand over the position of head of the Disciplinary Department to Huang. W, please make sure you tell your subordinates about the transfer of command."

Listening to Medic's instructions, W, who had struggled to get out of bed after the anesthesia, pouted:

"Wasn't a written agreement already signed?"

"Those are documents to be handed over. If you, as a member of the team's management, suddenly disappear or are 'seized', it will cause us a lot of trouble... So, nominally, you are still the captain of those Mercenaries, but you still need to be accountable to Huang."

"Ah, contact person, I understand~"

Propping his head with his uninjured right hand, W watched Medic meticulously organizing the documents, looked around for a while, and then asked:

"Speaking of which, is Nana really gone?"

"...(???)"

What kind of expression is that?

After slightly changing his movements to speed up the metabolism of the anesthetic, W continued to complain:

"I said that Rhodes Island had supported His Highness in his efforts to modernize Kazdel in the past. That's why I temporarily set aside my suspicions about that old woman and let the brothers who were willing to follow me help you."

"So you guys are even more wary of me than we Mercenaries are of our employers trying to sabotage us... I mean, you're incredibly thorough and meticulous. It's like Nana just gave you a proper analysis of me."

With that still gentle smile, Medic didn't quite understand why W said that:

"I think this is a basic quality that a head of the Human Resources Department should possess."

"What basic qualities? If every 'Human Resources Department' in the world were like Rhodes Island, then there wouldn't be any other companies to compete with. Medic, your judgment on Yeti, Shieldguards, and us... 'Demonic' Mercenaries... is excessively accurate."

W, tilting her head and in a static beauty mode, lay on the bed touching her chin, then revealed a look of sudden realization:

"I still think it's Nana's fault... But it's normal for an individual to be outmatched by a company with a dedicated analysis department, and I won't bring up your unusual judgment. I really do have something I want to talk to Nana about, at least give me that person's contact information!"

"Actually, you could have let me relay it."

"No, I don't want to talk to someone as unfathomable as you, an intelligence black hole. As Mercenaries, you're too terrifying to me... Nana is someone I feel a bit closer to."

W's undisguised disgust and wariness left Medic completely bewildered. Was this something she should say to her future boss?

However, due to W's insistence, Medic had no choice but to give W the agent communication code that Anna was in charge of managing.

After obtaining the desired item, W immediately ignored Medic, this 'terrifying information black hole,' and began rapidly typing on a tablet that could only be used within the Rhodes Island PRTS system.

Soon after Medic stepped out of the medical room, he received a message from Anna.

After clicking on it, seeing the system-generated message "Task in progress, do not disturb," Medic sheepishly began manually replying: I

'Now you can tell me, what's wrong?' I

[... Would you like to see my self-introduction?]

Glancing at the seemingly furious message, 'Did you sell all my information to Rhodes Island?--W', Medic scratched his chin in confusion, then typed: I

'No, get to the point.'

[You mean 'no'?! You mean your Human Resources Department manager has everyone wrapped around his little finger, laughing like a maniac, and all the conditions are just barely within everyone's tolerance? And you call that no information leaked?! I feel like I'm running naked in front of that guy! Completely exposed!]

[She even knows I view Kal'tsit critically?! By revealing my target like this, even if I meet Kal'tsit, I'll be ambushed by three hundred greatswordsmen. If I say a bad word about her, I'll be chopped into pieces!]

'... Don't you want to look at what you're saying? What kind of image do you really have of Minister Kal'tsit?' Phosphorus

After a moment's hesitation, Medic continued typing: I

"Besides, didn't you ask FrostNova and Patriot? I didn't even go to see my own team when I left that day... I was so busy searching for the Demons Pollution, I didn't have time to care about you." V

[Swear! Swear to the gods of Sankta! And I'll record this and put it in writing!]

Are you out of your mind...? He typed a few words, but before sending them, Medic deleted them and replaced them with a (???) chibi-style emoji of a white-haired girl. V

'I swear to the great God, the Father of Sankta, and the Savior of this land, I, Nana Ivy, have not revealed any of W's shady information to the Human Resources Department.'

[... It's shameful... Ugh... Anyway, I've remembered those words, recorded them, and I'll print them out later... Don't try to renege on your promise.]

It was as if you could hear W gritting her teeth through the screen... No, Medic could definitely hear W next door gasping for breath, as if she were tugging at her wound... Was she using voice input?

To prevent W from becoming further agitated, Medic continued typing on the projected keyboard: [The matter...]

"In short, try to minimize your attacks, focus on healing, and trust Medic... I said you and Ah Fu can trust her as much as you trust me... I will accompany you to see Kal'tsit in the end, and that promise still stands."

[Okay, I trust you. My men have already been deployed to your team... But I need to think of a pretext to claim damages from that nominal leader... Will Rhodes Island pay for their release?]

'Redemption... what kind of Mercenaries slang is that?'

[Breach of contract penalty... Forget it, relying on a guy like you who's always running away isn't reliable... To avoid your boss looking down on me, I did say I could handle this myself, but I can't use the usual breach of contract penalty for Mercenaries... How about some small change to help out my sisters?]

"...Asking for money before achieving anything is not a good habit. Also, if you have any difficulties, I recommend you go directly to Medic; she probably won't laugh at you."

Ignoring the subsequent barrage of unhelpful messages from W, Medic handed his agent account back over to the Security Bureau's AI, Anna, for safekeeping... Afterward, Medic checked his daily missions and then decided to visit the Welfare Department.

"The minister is here!"

"It's the Minister!"

After confirming the personnel's location via PRTS, Medic entered the common lounge on the third floor, which currently serves as the Welfare Department's office. Medic was greeted by the two little ones, Aili and Xiya, who had regained consciousness at Rosemary's birthday party and had been examined by Su Sulo and Folinic without any problems being found.

Medic had never been able to tell which of the twins was the older sister and which was the younger sister, but it seems that after the naming ceremony, their personalities began to diverge.

As the older sister, Aili has always maintained the innocence and cheerfulness of a child, so enthusiastic that she doesn't seem like Sarkaz at all. The clear look in her eyes makes her seem more like a real, carefree Sankta child.

After waking up, Xiya, the younger sister, seemed to be influenced by Eileen, who was holding her in pain. The little one became visibly quiet, or rather, 'strong'... Although Medic felt that there was a lot of pretense in her being strong, since everyone treated the two little ones the same.

Aili was openly and honestly enjoying everyone's love and care, while Xiya seemed more embarrassed... These were things she hadn't experienced during her past hardships as a refugee.

Back then, both little ones were equally obedient and sensible, looking like identical twins.

But now, it seems more like her personality is gradually deviating from its original direction?

Or are the twins now reflecting their original personalities?

"Aili, Xiya... Good afternoon, Dad. Have you had lunch yet?"

"I've eaten! Today's lunch was a thick porridge so thick you could stand a fork upright in it! There was lots of meat in it!"

"And the fries we didn't finish yesterday, we ate them all as a snack, leaving none of our portion."

Touching the two little ones' heads, feeling as if he were touching the very first Rosemary, Medic smiled and encouraged them:

"You ate it all? That's amazing! You need to eat and sleep more so you can grow taller and bigger faster... Of course, don't grow up too fast... Childhood has many interesting things too."

Seemingly touched by Medic's words, FrostNova, who had been sitting to the side and seemed to have been taking care of the child, raised an eyebrow.

"I think the right thing to do is to stay alive and work hard to teach the children to grow up... Otherwise, what will they do when they suddenly have no adults to accompany them and need to grow up?"

Perhaps this was just the realization of the Infected in the Snowfield, but as someone who had also suddenly lost his first friend, Medic's sudden, frozen stance, as if his body had been pierced by something, made FrostNova raise an eyebrow, while the White Rabbit wore a slight smile:

"It seems you agree with me..."

"... Yes, when children grow up may be a difficult question to control... but they do need to be prepared to grow up at any time..."

With a sigh, Medic picked up the twins, one in each arm, and carried them back to FrostNova. Seeing the scattered 'equipment' that was supposed to be prepared for the children on the floor, Nana felt relieved. Then, the two little ones quickly picked up their own backpacks.

"Are they teaching children how to use tools and equipment?"

"Yes, I sometimes do similar things in the settlement... I just didn't expect there to be children here."

Just as FrostNova finished speaking, Ah Fu had appeared out of nowhere, suddenly spoke up with a smile:

"Every Sarkaz group has its own parenting and education strategies. Even the seemingly ruthless and warlike Military Commission takes a systematic and social approach to raising children. So, it's not uncommon to see Sarkaz with children."

"... Don't you make any noise when you walk?"

Ignoring FrostNova's complaints, Ah Fu bowed to Medic.

"Solving problems quietly and quickly is not my profession, but my personal philosophy... So, since you've come to the Welfare Department, you must have finished W's surgery... My lord."

"Yes, the surgery was successful, but please leave the follow-up care to the Welfare Department... Remember to remind her to come for dressing changes and subsequent magical treatments..."

"You can just give instructions through the PRTS system."

"No, I still need to check if the two little ones are doing well on the third floor... Not only the Sarkaz, Rhodes Island also has protective and nurturing measures for minors. If conditions permit in the future, I will consider sending them to Rhodes Island's orphanage..."

After listening quietly to Medic and Ah Fu's conversation for a while, FrostNova asked curiously:

Does Rhodes Island still have childcare facilities?

"... Although there is no formal title, and the care has always been undertaken by the head of the Medical Department, if the number of children continues to increase in the future, then establishing a formal department or division would be a matter of course."

"Was your White Cat also from that... nursery?"

"... No, she was... the result of my mistake... Although it was indeed that minister who helped me with my education when I was incapacitated, that gentleman is indeed one of the most learned people I have ever met on this land."

"As you can see, Rosemary in excellent health and has already participated in operations as Regular Operator, serving as a pivot point in the operation and successfully making contact with the Shieldguards... Although saying this from my perspective might make me seem like I've failed in my duty, Rosemary is indeed growing healthily under my superior's guidance."

"... Are you trying to entice me to keep asking? But seeing how serious you are, I feel it would be impolite to press you further..."

FrostNova shrugged and changed the subject:

"Speaking of which, haven't the doctors reached a conclusion on my treatment plan yet?"

White Rabbit's words made Medic suddenly take it seriously, because after a preliminary examination, the operator named Yelena, codenamed FrostNova, although she seemed to have no problems, her infection rate was already close to the late stage.

"In my personal opinion, FrostNova, your treatment cannot be done here... You need to come with us to Rhodes Island headquarters for a collective consultation by the Medical Department to develop a suitable plan..."

"Then forget it, it sounds really expensive."

Although the remark was clearly a joke, Medic still took a serious step forward and stared intently into FrostNova's eyes. The Rhodes Island black cat was almost touching FrostNova, and the slightly tilted head of his head made even the Yeti princess involuntarily turn her head away slightly.

"First of all, we will not accept any money, as you already read in the initial agreement. Secondly, please respect life... especially your own."

"Um, can I say I've gotten used to Oripathy... Okay, okay, I was just kidding. Be serious, don't you feel cold standing this close?"

"... The loss of control over Originium Arts is already a late-stage sign. Coupled with the Originium Crystals beginning to fuse with your internal organs, I must propose to your lieutenant and subordinates that you completely prohibit the use of Originium Arts thereafter."

"If I could, I would be more than happy to do so."

Seeing Medic write down 'Doctor's Recommendation' with utmost seriousness, FrostNova crossed her legs, propped her chin on her hand, and sighed... Of course, she knew that if she continued to use Originium Arts, she would eventually be unable to even be touched.

In fact, because her body temperature is slightly lower than that of an average person, FrostNova feels unusually hot in environments that are comfortable for most people.

Without anyone knowing, she had secretly removed the thermal layer from her clothes... Despite living in the Snowfield, she was dressed as if she were in a temperate region.

Once you take off that coat, which was made from a modified Patriot's armor cloak, you can see FrostNova's figure, clearly outlined by her belt.

Medic was fully aware of this, as was FrostNova, whose figure, as an adult woman, appeared rather thin.